The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between selection of internal attributional statements and perceived physical competence in children with mental retardation (MR). Eighty-six children with MR were surveyed and results demonstrated that internal attributional statements were chosen more often by older as opposed to younger children. These results are consistent with studies conducted on peers without disabilities where internal attributions increase with age. Gender differences were also analyzed in the selection of internal statements as well as the existence of a self-serving bias. Self-serving biases were not found in either gender relative to selection of internal versus external attributions for competence. In general, children with MR tended to select a large proportion of external rationales for competent outcomes that may impact negatively on self-esteem. The results support that children with MR may display an external attributional profile that can potentially hinder achievement related to physical activity.
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